Dimming LED light strips

[petem]

Can 2835 SMD LED light strips be dimmed, for example by reducing the voltage?

 

[jrudge]

I have done this but only on an accidental basis with low volts.

Most dimmers work by Pwm which for reasons I don't understand upset led bulbs if not dimable.

If you want to dim them one time to a lover level with a lower voltage my own experiance is that works. If you want to vary the brightness this seems to have issues.

I have dimmed non dimmable 240v led bulbs and they last seconds.

 

[petem]

I have done this but only on an accidental basis with low volts.

Most dimmers work by Pwm which for reasons I don't understand upset led bulbs if not dimable.

If you want to dim them one time to a lover level with a lower voltage my own experiance is that works. If you want to vary the brightness this seems to have issues.

I have dimmed non dimmable 240v led bulbs and they last seconds.

Thanks J, maybe I'll but a variable voltage regulator and see how low I can go before they switch off.

 

[elton]

LEDs are semiconductors, and as such they don't obey Ohms law. You might manage to achieve your aims with some Heath Robinson arrangement of variable resistance, but then again you could burn them out or start a fire. This is worth a read, if only to highlight some of the issues http://luxreview.com/article/2016/02/10-things-you-must-know-before-you-dim-led-lamps Or if you Google "12v pwm (Pulse Width Modulation) led dimmer circuit" you might find an off-the-shelf or DIY solution.

 

[stelican]

Can 2835 SMD LED light strips be dimmed, for example by reducing the voltage?

Autotrail motorhomes have them It is possible to buy the dimmer from the dealer in Portsmouth Southdown Motorhomes and strip leds from ebay

 

[andy59]

Splash out some cash Pete https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Wireless-I...ch-Lamp-8a-12v-UK/1095551198?iid=262301963373

 

[Lon nan Gruagach]

Can 2835 SMD LED light strips be dimmed, for example by reducing the voltage?

Yes, not the best way. PWM dimmers are best for LED strips

I have done this but only on an accidental basis with low volts.

Most dimmers work by Pwm which for reasons I don't understand upset led bulbs if not dimable.

If you want to dim them one time to a lover level with a lower voltage my own experiance is that works. If you want to vary the brightness this seems to have issues.

I have dimmed non dimmable 240v led bulbs and they last seconds.

I think you are confusing 240V LED replacements with LED strips (which are normally 12V dc)
240V LED replacements have a power supply circuit in them that will not respond well to mains dimmers.

 

[gjgm]

For a once off adjustment then I did manage with a variable pot from Maplin for about 90pence. Cant recall what resistance it was now but it was very very sensitive or no light at all and quite a alot of trial and error with the pots. I just wanted to take a bit off the intensiry not dim them.on demand but it works.

 

[itspaul]

This is the lighting we have used in our boat rgbw strip with the wireless dimmer controllers. Not cheap but good quality
https://www.led-lighthouse.co.uk

 

[ultrarep]

I have dimmed leds for several years with an off the shelf dimmer made for this with remote from onsolar in Yeovil.
Its 12v and about 20quid and works a charm. 12v in led power out.
Simples and more importantly reliables!

 

[petem]

Thanks all, have found this PWM dimmer on eBay for £1.79.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PWM-Mini-...204528?hash=item2389d3a5f0:g:cZoAAOSw4ERZbYS8

Will give it a try.

Pete

 

[jrudge]

Yes, not the best way. PWM dimmers are best for LED strips


No. Was led strips on the boat the other day. I had to get 12v from 24 without a dropper so put a bulb on series. I got 8 volts on the led and they were dim !


I think you are confusing 240V LED replacements with LED strips (which are normally 12V dc)
240V LED replacements have a power supply circuit in them that will not respond well to mains dimmers.

 

[jrudge]

Yes, not the best way. PWM dimmers are best for LED strips


!


I think you are confusing 240V LED replacements with LED strips (which are normally 12V dc)
240V LED replacements have a power supply circuit in them that will not respond well to mains dimmers.

No. Was led strips on the boat the other day. I had to get 12v from 24 without a dropper so put a bulb on series. I got 8 volts on the led and they were dim

 

[kashurst]

hang on a mo, please check out what you are doing/using. You wouldn't mess about with fuel tanks/pipes/ 240v ac mains etc -
don't underestimate the potential energy involved in led power supplies and led strips.
Please check what you are doing before you possibly create a fire hazard on board. If you don't know, don't guess, just because its 12V it's still potentially a hazard.

 

[petem]

hang on a mo, please check out what you are doing/using. You wouldn't mess about with fuel tanks/pipes/ 240v ac mains etc -
don't underestimate the potential energy involved in led power supplies and led strips.
Please check what you are doing before you possibly create a fire hazard on board. If you don't know, don't guess, just because its 12V it's still potentially a hazard.

Kashurst, don't worry nothing is going on board until it's tested and properly researched.

 

[Anders_P42]

Make sure it's all CE approved, although a CE mark is easy to print on whether it's approved or not these days.

I bought my led strip here, you can talk to them too which is nice these days. Their dimmer is £12.50, I'd sleep better at night spending that much.

http://www.litewave.co.uk/prod_cat/P_remote-control-electronic-dimmer-3-amps_174_accessories_17.html

 

[Cheery]

Examples of dodgy symbols and correct ones.